America’s Music Cities

A Music Lovers Dream

Enjoy a finger-snapping, toe-tapping time on this tour of America’s most famed musical cities. Visit New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville as you revel in the sounds of the blues, jazz, country and good old rock ‘n’ roll.

Tour Highlights

Be a part of the epic New Orleans Jazz Fest, the perfect place to celebrate the best of music in the birthplace of Jazz. New Orleans is home to the French Quarter where the world’s great jazz musicians reside. Have your choice on tour – either stroll through the famous French Quarter on a walking tour with a local expert or set out on a panoramic motorcoach tour for a different perspective of the city.

Spend two nights in Memphis, “birthplace of the blues,” and tour Elvis Presley’s Graceland. At the historic Belle Meade plantation, indulge in a culinary and wine tasting experience. Sample Tennessee whiskey at a local distillery with a rich history. Meet a local radio show personality on your tour of WSM Radio Station.

Enjoy reserved seats at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville along with a backstage tour. Tour historic RCA Studio B and see where country legends recorded hit songs. A visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame is sure to have you humming long after you return home.

America’s Music Cities

---

Day 1 – New Orleans, Louisiana

Step back in time on a cultural getaway that opens in the “Jazz Capital of the World” – New Orleans! This soulful city abounds with rich history, mouthwatering Cajun and Creole cuisine, and an incomparable soundtrack.

Hotel: Sheraton New Orleans

Day 2 – New Orleans

Choose French Quarter Walking Tour or Motorcoach Tour of New Orleans
Today the choice is yours. Perhaps you’ll choose a walking tour of New Orleans’ famous French Quarter where you’ll see the majestic St. Louis Cathedral, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks; continue to the bustling French Marketplace where you’ll explore Pirates Alley, the Cabildo, the Presbytere and the Pontalba; stop to taste a true New Orleans favourite – beignets at Café Du Monde. Or maybe you’d prefer to set out on a panoramic motorcoach tour of New Orleans with a local guide; begin along historic Esplanade Avenue; see St. Louis Cemetery #3 which opened in 1854 and holds some of the most elaborate crypts found in the city’s cemeteries; then, relax during a drive along the shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain. This romantic road eventually leads to St. Charles Avenue, whisking you past gorgeous mansions as well as Tulane and Loyola, two world-famous universities. This afternoon is at your leisure. Tonight, roll up your sleeves and prepare to discover how to cook New Orleans-style! During a unique cooking demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking, your chef will indulge you in everything that Louisiana cuisine has to offer. Following dinner, enjoy a jazz revue at a local French Quarter jazz club.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Sheraton New Orleans

Day 3 – New Orleans

Journey through Louisiana’s swamp on a cruise* narrated by your captain. Learn about the history and ecology of this fascinating ecosystem Whilst keeping an eye out for wildlife including bald eagles, herons, turtles and alligators! This afternoon, experience a music lovers dream with included tickets to the New Orleans’ Jazz Fest where some of the biggest names in music perform!

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Sheraton New Orleans

Day 4 New Orleans – Memphis, Tennessee

Travel north to Memphis, the birthplace of the Blues, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Soul. This evening enjoy delectable Southern cuisine along with some of the best live music in town. Tonight’s dinner truly captures the essence of Memphis’ music and culinary scene.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Sheraton Memphis Convention Centre

Day 5 – Memphis

This morning, embark on a one-of-a-kind tour of the city of Memphis. Local musicians board the coach and tell the story of Memphis’ musical heritage and history as you view the city’s many highlights…you may even be tempted to sing along! Then, don your blue suede shoes when you visit Graceland, the palatial home of Elvis Presley. Enter Elvis’ 14-acre estate and visit his home, original business office, trophy building with exhibits depicting Elvis’ life at Graceland, racquetball building, and the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and members of his family have been laid to rest. The remainder of your day is free to enjoy this city’s vast musical offerings on your own. Dance to the live music that may fill the open air or spend the evening exploring Beale Street’s vibrant musical clubs!

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Sheraton Memphis Convention Centre

Day 6 – Memphis – Nashville

Journey to the “Music Capital of the World” – Nashville. Relive days gone by during a tour of the sprawling Belle Meade Plantation and indulge in a culinary and wine tasting experience featuring southern delicacies.** Following lunch, discover the flavour of the region at a historic distillery when you tour the facility and taste its famous Tennessee whiskey. This evening, take your reserved seat at the renowned Grand Ole Opry.*** What began as a building where a local radio broadcast show aired once a week in 1925 has grown to become an entertainment complex that attracts music fans from all over the world.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Hotel: Gaylord Opryland Resort

Day 7 – Nashville

Your day begins with a tour of WSM Radio Station where you will meet a local radio show personality. Next, a local guide will share the history and lore of Music City during a sightseeing tour where you will view the State Capitol, Music Row and the Parthenon — a full replica of the Athenian original! Next, explore the Country Music Hall of Fame, the largest museum of popular music in the world. The museum’s vast collections of memorabilia, costumes, recordings and instruments are artfully presented in cutting-edge exhibits relaying the colourful histories of country music and its artists. Learn about the Hatch Show Print, the original printer of the concert flyer for famous country musicians, and have the opportunity to see how they are still printed today. Then, visit the old Ryman Auditorium**** and the historic RCA Studio B for an up-close look at Nashville’s oldest remaining recording studio where Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Charlie Pride once recorded some of their classic hits. Learn the secrets of how each artist recorded their chart-topping music in this famous studio where you may even have the opportunity to record your own hit!

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Gaylord Opryland Resort

Day 8 – Nashville – Tour Ends

As your journey comes to a close, return home with a wealth of memories that will have you humming a new tune.

Meals: Breakfast

---

This form does not exist